TUBA, Benguet—“It is health which is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.”
The line from anti-war activist Mahatma Gandhi couldn’t be more apt in practice as being applied by Philex Mining Corp. to all its stakeholders, including the host and neighboring villages of its Padcal operations, through free health-care services like medical and dental missions.
“This reminds us of how important our health is,” Roy Mangali, assistant resident manager of Padcal operations, said during the medical and dental mission last week.
The medical and dental mission was conducted by Philex Mining, in coordination with the government of Tuba, at the town’s Sitio Camp 3-Proper, Brgy. Camp 3.
“This is how Philex shows its being a responsible miner— we care about the health of our employees and the people in our communities.”
The second of the company’s medical missions held in the run-up to its 60th Anniversary Celebration, on Nov. 9, has attracted at least 238 residents in seven of the barangay’s sitios—Balayan, Mangga, Antamok Sur, Antamok Norte, Balding, Riverside, Camp 3-Proper—had received from Philex Mining free medicines like painkillers and antidotes for fever and respiratory illnesses, as well as vitamins (for children and elders).
This developed as the residents availed themselves of free medical and dental check-ups, tooth extraction, and tests for blood type, glucose, cholesterol, and uric acid administered by the in-house medical staff of Philex Mining as well as the health staff members of Brgy. Camp 3 and Tuba municipality.
Tuba Mayor Ignacio Rivera said “It is a blessing that our partner Philex Mining brings to our locality free health-care services. We are thankful for these, knowing the high costs of doctors’ consultations and medicines.”
“I am grateful that I came to this medical mission,” said the 57-year-old Delia Cabansi, who has eight children and was diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia and hypertension.
“It was worth trekking through rugged terrain for at least an hour to come here, as I came to learn of my illness and that I can still do something about it with the help of Philex Mining. And I am so happy that I need not buy my medicines, as these are provided by the company for free.”
Estela Montino, a member of the Barangay Council, in Camp 3, said the mission was a big help to the residents of the community.
“We are proud that we belong to a community where Philex Mining implements its social programs, especially on health care, as well as on education, which provides scholarships to our children.”
The Nov. 9 medical mission was part of a series of events held during the months-long celebration of Philex Mining’s 60 years of operations rooted in the principle of responsible mining, and through which the company has fulfilled its various obligations in community development, nation-building, and economic progress.
For the local government of Tuba, medical missions also serve as a vehicle to highlight as well the other but related aspects of healthy living.
“That is the reason I am encouraging every household to plant trees – to help in purifying the air we breathe,” Rivera said.
“Let us also consider to religiously practice the proper waste segregation, to protect our rivers and other waterways,” he added.
